Episode 8 - The Paradise has a Heart

 By the time they entered Srinagar, it was 7:30PM. Since they had not eaten lunch, Zayed suggested that they try kebabs at the kebab stall opposite Dal lake. Everyone agreed and Zayed parked the tempo traveller opposite one of the stall. He spoke to the stall-owner and soon the charcoal was fanned to grill the kebabs. There were chicken, mutton and fish kebabs. Initially, everyone stepped down from the vehicle. But it was very cold and after a few minutes, the women climbed back into the vehicle and closed the door. The men gathered around the burning coal trying to feel some warmth. Jennifer was shivering although she had worn layers of warm clothes. They were out in the cold weather for over 10 hours and skipping lunch only made it worse. Preetham brought the kebabs to the ladies with mint chutney and another unique chutney made with carrot. The pieces of kebabs were small, juicy and tender. They were extremely delicious. It was exactly the comfort food that one would look for on a cold winter evening.

‘You tried to what!?’ exclaimed Karna almost dropping a piece of chicken Kebab from his hand.

Karna had noticed at Pahalgam, when Roja and Agnivesh were having a heated argument. Although from the distance, he could not hear what they were talking, it was evident that something was wrong. While Preetham, Vasu and Nakul were standing right in front of the stall and relished the kebabs, Karna took Agnivesh aside to know what had happened. Agnivesh explained him briefly.

‘Have you lost your mind, Agni? You saw her only for a day and you tried to kiss her already. You guys separated four years ago. Which part of this sentence don't you understand?’ hissed Karna.

Agnivesh had clearly messed up his chances with Roja, that was if there were any chances left.

‘But we almost kissed, Karna. I am sure that she still has some feelings for me. If she hated me, why would she agree to not only stay with as but also travel with as?’ reasoned Agnivesh.

Karna thought for a minute. Agnivesh certainly had a point and he was not completely wrong.

‘I will not completely disagree with you but still what you did was wrong. Anyway, try not to do anything that would remind her of that night. It is better that you do not speak about this to anyone. We need to first confirm if she still has feelings for you. I don’t want to say anything that would get your hopes high. We need to be patient with her to understand what place you still hold in her life. There could be chances that she might be confused about you. That is not bad because that means she could still decide to get back with you. Come on now, let’s go.’

Preetham paid the bill and climbed into the tempo traveller along with Vasu and Nakul. The cold was getting unbearable by the minute. Karna and Agnivesh quickly gobbled the kebabs and climbed into the vehicle. Soon, Zayed began driving towards Mr. Wahib's house. It was 31 December, New Year's Eve. On the way, they bought groceries for dinner. It was decided that they would have a lavish dinner to usher in the New Year. Roja looked out of the window and found the moon in clear sky. She wondered if it was a full moon night. The moon had a subtle shade of copper gold which enticed her. It seemed as if the moon accompanied her and was a silent witness to her journey. She kept staring at the moon until it disappeared from her sight.

As soon as the vehicle stopped, everyone stepped out and rushed towards the house. They removed their footwear and began entering the house. Mrs. Wahib warmly welcomed them as usual with a smile. When Roja entered, she stopped her on her way to the fire-place room.

‘You have a surprise,’ she said and turned Roja to face the sofa in the living room. Shock, surprise, relief, happiness and love washed over Roja all at once. Pradyuman walked up to her and pulled her into a tight embrace. She hugged him back, closing her eyes and breathing in his familiar fragrance.

‘I missed you so much,’ she whispered.

‘I terribly missed you, Roja,’ he said in a voice that was saturated with the pain of separation.

Agnivesh and Karna who had followed Roja into the house, stood frozen. While one half of Agnivesh's mind was too shocked to react, the other half was thoroughly checking out his object of hate. The man holding Roja in his arms was at least one foot taller than her. His face had chiselled features with a one-day stubble and sharp nose. His eyes were light brown and he had curly hair which was stylishly messy. Clearly, he looked as if he had just walked out of a fashion magazine. One thing was clear. This Man was nothing like Agnivesh, he was way more attractive. By now, everyone in the house were in the living-room. Pradyuman released Roja from his embrace but he still had one arm wrapped around her shoulder. She was blushing from all the public display of affection and her eyes were twinkling. She introduced everyone to Pradyuman and she was about to introduce Agnivesh next.

‘Well, I have heard a lot about you. Agnivesh, right? I am Pradyuman.’

‘He is the love of my life,’ she said with a smile.

Agnivesh felt as if someone had thrust a dagger into his chest. He said nothing while the others exchanged greetings with Pradyuman. Soon after, Roja and Pradyuman went to her room to freshen up. He placed his luggage in one corner of the room. Roja switched on the room heater and the geyser in the bathroom. She removed her gloves and put them on the carpet in front of the heater. When she looked up, he was staring at her with his hands stuffed in his pockets.

‘I am indeed surprised. Didn't you say that you would be in Mangaluru for the film shoot until the first week of January?’ she asked rubbing her palms together.

‘The shoot was completed yesterday. I lied to you so that I could give you a New Year's Eve surprise. Instead, I am the one who is surprised,’ he said raising an eyebrow.

Roja tried hard to make out if he was angry at her but he maintained a poker face without giving away any emotion.

‘This is not what it looks like, Pranu.’

‘Really? Do you think I am so stupid? I wait here to surprise my girlfriend, while she walks into the house with her ex-boyfriend in tow. Moreover she has been staying in the same house with him and his friends for the past two days. So what exactly is this, Roja? Please explain,’ he said crossing his arms. 

Roja could feel her throat go dry. She vehemently hoped that Pradyuman would accept her explanation and not be mad at her. She could not lose him and let her heart break. Not again.

To be continued...